Barbados Program Handbook 2008-09
Table of Contents
by OIP staff and past student participants
Introduction ......................................................................................................................2
Program Contacts .............................................................................................................3
Barbados ............................................................................................................................4
Pre-departure Health Information................................................................................5
Medical Care .....................................................................................................................6
Program Costs ...................................................................................................................7
Refund Policy...........................................................................................................7
Dismissal Policy ...............................................................................................................8
Do you need a Visa? ........................................................................................................8
What to wear?....................................................................................................................9
What to pack?....................................................................................................................9
Program Calendar ..........................................................................................................10
Arriving in Bridgetown ................................................................................................10
Residency Permits..........................................................................................................11
The University of the West Indies..............................................................................11
Orientation .............................................................................................................12
Registration for Courses .......................................................................................12
Studying and Exam System at UWI ...................................................................13
Communications ............................................................................................................13
Receiving Money ...........................................................................................................14
Housing............................................................................................................................15
Food/Drink ......................................................................................................................17
Cafes or restaurants...............................................................................................17
Extracurricular Activities..............................................................................................18
Security and Safety ........................................................................................................19
On Campus.............................................................................................................19
Off-Campus............................................................................................................19
Sexual Harassment and Homophobia................................................................19
Transportation ................................................................................................................19
Shopping..........................................................................................................................21
Books .......................................................................................................................21
Newspapers/Magazines ......................................................................................21
Local Sights and Things to Do.............................................................................21
Nightlife ..................................................................................................................21
Weather ............................................................................................................................23
Student thoughts............................................................................................................24
1
Introduction and Brown Contact Information:
This handbook is designed to help you through the process of preparing for your
journey to Barbados and participation in the Brown-in-Barbados program. It will
serve to answer questions about your upcoming semester or year abroad. The guide
book to the Caribbean will offer more specific information about the country itself.
Together these will help you to answer questions that your parents, friends and you
have about what to expect.
We at OIP would also like to emphasize that programs in ‘developing’ nations
require an enormous flexibility, openness to change, the ability to tolerate ambiguity
and a willingness to enjoy the unexpected. We emphasize this because past Brown
students have read these same words, and have reiterated upon their return that
these aspects were important to a successful sojourn in Barbados.
Students who opt for this program must understand that this is not “Brown
University transplanted to Barbados”, it is Brown at the University of the West
Indies. The academic experience at UWI differs distinctly from the Brown
experience.
As you read this handbook, we urge you to ask yourself, “Is this something I want
to attempt?” “Can I accept the opportunity to develop an awareness of a different
culture?” An intercultural experience is an emotionally intense and profoundly
challenging experience for the participant.
If you have any questions or concerns about anything now or while you're away,
please contact our office immediately at the numbers/e-mail below. We accept
collect calls from students abroad so don’t hesitate because of cost.
If it’s an emergency and not during normal business hours at Brown you can call
Police & Security at (401) 863-3322. They can reach one of us at all times-ask them
to contact the staff of International Programs at home following their emergency
procedure directions from our office.
Brown University
Office of International Programs
Box 1973
Providence, RI 02912
Ph. 401-863-3555
Fax: 401-863-3311
E-mail: OIP@brown.edu
Enjoy your time in Barbados!!
2
Program Contact:
Paula Jarvis works in the Registrar’s office at the University of West Indies Cave Hill
Campus (there is no international student office on campus). Her role is to help you
upon arrival and throughout your stay with any questions or concerns having to do
with life in Barbados.
Her address and contact information is:
Paula Jarvis
University of the West Indies, Cave Hill
Bridgetown
Barbados
Ph# 1-246-417-4119/20 Fax: 1-246-438-9145
E-mail: paula.jarvis@cavehill.uwi.edu
3
Barbados:
Barbados, the eastern
most island of the
Caribbean, has all that you
would expect, great
beaches, great weather
and nice trade winds. The
western (Caribbean side)
has calm, turquoise waters
while the eastern
(Atlantic) side has rougher
and colder water. The
island is about 34 km from
north to south and 22 km
at its widest. It is divided
into 11 parishes,
somewhat like our
counties, and addresses
will often say the town
and parish.
The island has been
populated by several
different groups,
including the Kalinago
(called Caribs by
Europeans). Spanish were
present in the 1500's. In
1625 the island was claimed for Britain and became a colony. Two years later the
first African slaves were brought to the island and both the British and African
influences dominated island culture from this point on. Most Bajans today are
Christian and 90% are of African descent. Slaves won emancipation in 1834 but the
sugar industry remained the economic mainstay of the island. Around 1970, sugar
began to take second place to the tourist industry and now tourism accounts for
about 50% of the economy, with a more diversified agricultural sector in second
place. In 1966, Barbados gained its independence from Britain. Since then it has
been a parliamentary democracy with a prime minister.
4
Pre-departure Health Information and Insurance:
You should consult your personal physician if you have any specific concerns about
your own health situation. You should also make sure any dentistry and/or eye
exams are up to date. In the OIP Resource Library we also have other books about
health issues in ‘developing’ countries which you may consult. The Center for
Disease Control publishes a list of all the vaccines and health precautions it
recommends for those planning a stay abroad. The CDC website is located at:
http://www.cdc.gov/
HIV infection, as in many parts of the world, is present in Barbados. Please protect
yourself if you are sexually active.
Be sure to consult your insurance provider for coverage overseas and remember that
most places will ask for payment up front and then expect you to get reimbursed
from your insurance provider. Contact your health insurance provider for
reimbursement forms, and please take these forms with you when you go. This will
save you time since you won’t have to write to the office here in the USA for them
while you’re gone.
If you are carrying Brown student health insurance, reimbursement forms are
available at the Office of Insurance and Risk in the Brown Office Building. If you
have any questions regarding Brown student insurance, you can call or write to:
Cheryl Moan
Brown University
Office of Insurance and Risk
Box 1848
Providence, RI 02912
Ph# 401-863-9481
Email: Cheryl_Moan@brown.edu
In addition we provide you with a Brown Travel Assistance Plan which covers
evacuation and repatriation as well as some other services. This plan is provided by
International SOS (http://www.internationalsos.com) and the contact numbers in
case of emergency are:
5
If calling from: Call Alarm Center in: At this number:
1-800-523-6586
U.S. or Canada Philadelphia, PA Call collect:
1-215-942-8226
Call collect:
Mexico Philadelphia, PA
00-215-942-8226
Call collect:
South and Central America Philadelphia, PA
00-215-942-8226
Europe, CIS, Africa Call collect:
London
or the Middle East 44-208-762-8008
Asia, Australia Call collect:
Singapore
or the Pacific Rim 65-6338-7800
When you contact them you must reference: Group membership #:
11BSGC000031
The services provided by International SOS range from telephone advice and
referrals to full-scale evacuation by private air ambulance. The SOS network of
multilingual specialists operates 24 hour a day, 365 days a year from SOS Alarm
Centers around the world. However, International SOS is NOT health insurance.
Requests for reimbursement for medical care received while abroad should be
submitted to your health insurance provider.
You will also be given a wallet size card with important information on how to
access International SOS services. Please carry this with you at all times in case you
need emergency assistance. REMEMBER: In case of emergency, contact the site
coordinator as well!
Medical Care:
There is a dispensary at the university, and it is advisable to go there for medical
treatment and for referrals for care elsewhere. Like our health services here there
are nurses on duty most of the time and doctors and dentists there part-time to see
students. If they refer you to another place then you will still receive student rates
for your care. If you go on your own, then you will pay standard rates for the
medical services received.
If you have any on-going medical treatment that is needed please see your own
physician in advance about taking necessary medicines with you. Generally, you
may NOT send drugs (even with a prescription) through International mail and
must carry it with you along with a copy of your prescription. Make sure you also
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take the generic name of the active ingredients in your prescriptions in case you lose
them and need to replace them.
Program Costs:
In order to help you budget appropriately for your academic experience in Barbados
there is a cost sheet available online (and also included in your pre-departure
packet). Airfare and living costs are based on our best information but these costs
can change quickly with exchange rate fluctuations and price changes so adjust
living costs as needed. We hope this helps you in your planning process. This
program is an exchange and part of each fee goes to support Bajan exchange visitors
at Brown.
For the most up to date cost information, please visit: www.brown.edu/OIP/costs
Refund Policy
If you withdraw from a study abroad program during the first five weeks of the
program, you are eligible for a refund of your Brown tuition payments based on the
schedule below. Brown is not responsible for indirect costs paid directly by the
student, including but not limited to passport fees, vaccinations, and transportation
costs.
Withdrawal Refund
prior to program start 100%
in the first 14 days 80%
in days 15-21 60%
in days 22-28 40%
in days 29-35 20%
after day 35 no refund
For students who leave because of a medical or family emergency, the same refund
policy applies. A student who is suspended, dismissed, or withdraws while under
investigation for misconduct, will not have tuition payments refunded.
If you withdraw from a program, the deposit paid to confirm your place on the
program is not refundable. This deposit is credited toward the program fee if you
attend the program.
For housing or fees paid directly to your host institution abroad, the refund policy of
that institution will be in effect.
7
Dismissal from the Program
The Office of International Programs in consultation with the Site Personnel and the
Program Faculty Directors at Brown reserves the right to dismiss a student and
require that they leave immediately if in our judgment the student behaves in a
manner which endangers him/herself, others on the program or the program’s
continued operations. Illegal drug use is grounds for immediate dismissal.
Do you need a Visa?
For U.S. passport holders, you will not need a visa to enter Barbados. Citizens of
other countries should check directly with the Barbadian consulate regarding entry
requirements.
You will however, have to get a residency permit after you arrive on site. For this
you should bring with you all documents both Brown and the University of the
West Indies gave you in your orientation packet. This should cost around $100 US.
• letter of financial support and program participation provided you by our office
• 3 passport photos
• your passport
• a photocopy of your round-trip ticket to Barbados (must show a return trip)
• your acceptance letter from the University of the West Indies
You should keep photocopies of all these documents in a safe place in case yours are
stolen or lost. At least you can prove you once had them in requesting
replacements. Your passport should have the copy of the photo page and the
expiration date page (if different). Leave one set with your parents or other
responsible people in the USA and take one set with in a separate place from where
you have the originals! Also bring several itineraries, you can use them to buy
things Duty Free with a regular ID instead of carrying your passport.
For citizens of countries besides the USA
The Embassy contact information is:
Embassy of Barbados
2144 Wyoming Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20008
Ph. #202-939-9200
Fax #202-332-7467
8
What to wear?
Just like any other university, there is an eclectic variety of clothing worn by the
students at Cave Hill. The best idea is to wear whatever you are comfortable in.
Don’t forget that you are in an academic setting, however. It may be tempting
because of the warm weather but attending class in your shortest booty shorts and a
bikini top is far from acceptable. For most people, jeans and a t-shirt are common
classroom attire. Sweatpants are not classroom attire. Sandals and shorts may not be
worn at many nightclubs.
What to pack?
For prescription drugs, you should bring a supply for your whole stay as well as the
original prescription written by your physician in case your luggage is examined en
route. Contact lens supplies are generally available but they are expensive. You will
be able to purchase almost anything you need in Bridgetown, but prices on
American goods tend to be very expensive--so you might want to take this with you.
A surge protector is also a must for any valuable appliance. Good converters are
hard to find in Barbados.
Past students have also recommended:
a) Clock – that runs on battery, not electric!!!
b) basic toiletries, for those who are particular about certain brands
c) a towel and wash cloth (you can buy towels there, but are expensive)
d) lightweight good rain jacket and umbrella and 1 warm sweater
e) 4 clear passport size photos
f) School supplies
g) Mp3 player, Ipod
h) traveler’s checks, credit cards (especially American Express)
i) small presents and pictures of your home/friends/family to share with
children/friends/people who will help you
j) sunglasses and sunscreen
9
Program Calendar:
There is no time difference between the East coast of the USA and Barbados except
during daylight savings time when it changes to a one hour time difference.
Confirmation of arrival dates will come in a letter from UWI.
Semester II Calendar approximate dates are as follows:
Plan to Arrive January 21-22, 2009
Orientation January 23, 2009
Semester Begins January 25, 2009
Teaching Begins January 26, 2009
Semester Break TBA
Teaching Ends April 24, 2009
Examinations Begin April 27, 2009
Examinations End May 15, 2009
Semester Ends May 15, 2009
*This calendar is a set by the University regulations and they ask that students
especially Overseas Students adhere to the time frame that is given around the
examination period. The university requests that they book their flights just after
the Semester Ends.
Arriving in Bridgetown:
You'll go through customs with your luggage at the port-of-entry. You must have
your passport, a form provided on the plane for incoming travelers, and a return
date on your air plane ticket ready for immigration officials. There are employees
there to help you with your luggage. They will take care of carrying your luggage to
customs where a customs agent will ask why you are in the country and may/may
not search your luggage.
Since you might not have another opportunity to change money for a few days, you
should change some at the airport. However, U.S. dollars are accepted in most
establishments.
You’ll provide the UWI staff with your flight information. The UWI staff may
arrange to pick you up at the airport. Otherwise, the easiest method of getting to
campus is taking a taxi. Be prepared to pay about 45 BDS or around $25. Make sure
the taxi that you take is clearly identified as a taxi and has a “Z” in the license plate.
10
Residency Permits:
Once you arrive in Barbados, you need a residency permit to remain in the country.
The university will assist you with this process and provide some of the necessary
documentation during the first few weeks.
The University of the West Indies:
The University of West Indies, Cave Hill (UWI) started in 1963 as the third campus
in a three country system. The other two include Jamaica and Trinidad. The
university serves most of the English speaking Caribbean. The Cave Hill campus
occupies a picturesque 48-acre site in St. Michael's parish which looks out over the
Caribbean. It is just three miles away from Bridgetown, the major city of Barbados,
and within walking distance of the beaches.
The Cave Hill campus offers degrees in humanities, social and physical sciences as
well as law. UWI, Cave Hill has a link with both Codrington College for Theology
and with the Caribbean Meteorology Institute. They also have some special centers
of study including several that our students have enjoyed attending such as:
Caribbean Law Institute, Centre for Environmental Studies and the Centre for
Gender Studies. The quality of the courses is quite high and students work hard for
their degrees. Sixty to eighty percent of the credit for any course rests on the final
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exam, so in the four weeks just prior to exams, students will revise and study the
work from the entire semester.
The campus library offers my resources for students, most importantly an extensive
collection of periodicals, newspapers, literary works and scholarly works focused on
the West Indies.
Orientation:
UWI runs the orientation program in the first few days after you arrive. The
orientation gives you a basic introduction to academics and facilities of the
university and the nearby areas. Past students have advised that students should
participate in these activities since most of the friendships one will make are made
during this time.
They offer several tours of the library to orient you with its procedures as well as
tours of campus. They explain registration procedures and assist you with
obtaining your University student ID.
Registration for Courses:
Registration for courses at the UWI is done electronically in a system similar to
Brown’s. The UWI staff in the international office will assist you with this process.
After you register for classes you have two weeks to change courses. Please
remember to touch base with your concentration advisor regarding any courses that
you plan to take for concentration credit.
As in the US, you should talk to other students and ask them for advice on classes to
find out which are well regarded. Because most of the students follow a set stream,
it may be difficult to coordinate some classes in different departments.
12
Studying and Exam System at UWI
Based on the old British model, the way you study is very different from that at
Brown. Typically you will have day to day work assigned. You may or may not
receive assigned readings for each week. Or you may be reading from a long list of
suggested books the professor may provide.
The exam system at UWI is very different from that of Brown. The schedule for
exams is posted in different drafts in a very public place on campus. This draft goes
through revisions until what is called the final exam timetable is posted. There are
no incompletes in the UWI system and make up exams are not normally offered.
Unless there is a very good medical reason (such as you are in the hospital) if you
miss the final exam, which is typically worth 60-100 percent of your grade, you fail
the course. Also, you cannot arrive late for exams as they often close the doors and
do not allow latecomers to enter to take the exam.
Communicating with home:
Phoning/Faxing
Phones in the dorms are shared by many students and so are often busy. In Frank
Worrell students share phone lines. In Sherlock Hall about 25 people share a phone
line. At times, this can be more than a little frustrating. However, as long as you do
not abuse the phone, i.e. no three-hour conversations with your estranged
boyfriend/girlfriend, most blocks get along fine. Be willing to wait your turn and
don’t be afraid to politely ask someone who has been monopolizing the phone to
give it up.
There are also several pay phones around the halls of residence that may be used. It
costs about $3 BDS to call the US per minute. The bookstore sells phone cards that
may be used to make phone calls on the pay phones and credit cards may be used as
well. The phone inside allows collect calls.
Calling the US collect is very expensive so it might be more economical to buy
phone cards or have your parents and friends call you directly. Many students
coordinate a date and time for their friends/family to call them because it is much
cheaper to call from the USA to Barbados than vice-versa. Always give them
alternate times to call in case they can't get through. These days cell phones are
always a possibility so you might want to check on plans for this option. Getting a
cell phone is not very expensive and during the first week of school representatives
from the phone company will actually come to UWI and get you set up on campus.
If you already have a cell phone, you can also see if it would work in Barbados or if
you can add this to your plan. This requires an international calling plan.
Past students highly recommend purchasing a Bajan cell phone or a SIM card to
work with one’s current cell phone. Students should also consider using Skype.
13
Mail
It usually takes 5-10 days from Barbados to US. Your letters get delivered to your
UWI dorm every business day around 2 pm. The address to give out is:
Your name
University of the West Indies, Cave Hill
Dorm name
Bridgetown
Barbados
There is a main post office downtown. To mail a letter, you have to drop it off at the
post office or into a mail box. Mail gets sent out a little quicker if you drop it off at
the main post office in town. Packages and registered mail have to be picked up at
the main post office. You will get a notice to pick up the parcel. You will always
have to pay customs’ duties, even for the smallest items mailed to you. If you are
expecting a package it is a good idea to call the post office to check the status of your
parcel since the post office will sometimes forget to call for a few days.
E-Mail
All rooms in Frank Worrell Hall have a direct internet connection, and you will need
an Ethernet cord. Wireless internet is available at the JCR (student center). You can
use e-mail at the computing center or in internet cafes in town. You can also read
your Brown email on the web or use one of the free email accounts provided by
services like hotmail in the meantime.
There are several computer labs on campus where you can access Internet service
through the university network. These close about 11 pm during business days and
earlier on Saturday.
Please remember that we will use your Brown email address to send important
information and so expect you either to continue to read this account or forward it
appropriately.
Receiving Money:
The currency of Barbados is the Bajan dollar. At this time the exchange rate is
approximately 2 B$ = 1 US $.
You will need your passport to change traveler's checks but these are the best way to
carry money with you.
14
Bank Accounts/Credit Cards:
Some students set up bank accounts at the nearby Bank of Canada which is 5 minute
walk from campus. This takes 2-3 weeks so don’t count on bank access immediately
upon arrival. There is also a Western Union (which is expensive to receive money
through). Credit cards (Visa & Mastercard) are taken at grocery stores and
restaurants and the major department stores. Only certain ATM cards are accepted
so check with your bank before you go to see if yours will work. Also check on how
much they charge per international withdrawal because for some banks this can be
quite expensive and you might not want to pay this fee on a regular basis.
Housing:
Housing is provided in the student dorms. There are two resident halls on campus,
Sherlock Hall and Frank Worrell Hall. Sherlock Hall is the older but renovated hall
on campus. The rooms there tend to be singles opening directly onto an outside
corridor. You have sinks in your rooms. Kitchens and other facilities are shared by
everyone on that corridor. Frank Worrell Hall mostly has suites of 6 people per
floor with three floors per block. You have a single bedroom and share a living
room, kitchen and bathroom. All of the dorms are open-air with only shutters in the
window openings—this can be a problem in terms of insects, bringing mosquito
netting from home might be a good idea because it is expensive in Barbados.
15
There is a building for gatherings with two computers with internet access, a large
TV with cable, meeting room and another room to hang out in. The dorm itself is a 3
story dorm with 6 singles on each floor (single sex) a kitchen, phone, ironing board,
2 bathrooms and a common area. The room is kind of small, about the size of a
Young Orchard room for comparison with a desk, light, sink, bed, wardrobe and
lots of shelving.
There is a coined laundry system where you buy tokens at the business office during
certain limited hours and use them in the machines. There are three locations where
laundry is done on hall, each with several sets of washer/dryers. Plan to do laundry
well in advance since the office will often run out of tokens or may limit the number
you can buy. The best time to get these tokens is first thing in the morning.
Each block bonds well and has a certain type of pride. There is a Block Week
competition where each block competes in different activities such as a Cooking
competition, Song contest, T-shirt contest, Impromptu speech contest, Hall King and
Queen contest.
Each of the resident halls has a hall warden or a hall manager, both of whom usually
live in houses by the dorms to help out if there are any problems.
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Food/Drink:
The cafeteria serves lunch and dinner, but most students do not eat there. The menu
is the same almost every day and it's not haute cuisine. Most students cook for
themselves in the hall kitchens. There is no meal plan, however this is a meal van
that comes to hall every day around noon with home cooked food like chicken, fish,
macaroni pie, rice, etc for a pretty cheap price. Also the student guild on campus
now sells beef pies and other small snacks that may be had for lunch. There is also a
Campus mart that sells hot dogs and beef patties for lunch; there are also a few cafes
across campus.
The main staples for lunch and dinner are: rice, beans, and fish or chicken. Many
other foods are imported and cost quite a lot, especially red meat and dairy products
or any packaged foods like breakfast cereals. You should budget about 25% more in
food costs than you would in Providence. The best thing is to shop around and
really think about whether or not you can live without steak dinners. Planning is
also very important, if you don’t make a shopping list you will soon find having to
make a trip to the supermarket every other day very tedious.
The closest markets are Carlton’s and Supercentre. Each is just a short ride on public
transportation and both have shuttles that will take you back to campus for free. If
you can get a group together, you might like to try Julien Supermarket. This is a
much larger and slightly cheaper supermarket that will provide shuttle service for
groups of about 5 or more people. However, it is about twenty minutes away so a bit
less convenient. A new grocery store called SuperCentre has just opened up in
Warrens. They have fairly good prices but also have the best selection of food items
including organic and gourmet items. There is also next door a PriceSmart which
sells food in bulk. The membership fee is steep but well worth the investment.
If you like to bargain and don’t mind getting up early, there are fresh fruit and
vegetable markets in Bridgetown on Saturday mornings. There's a lot of good fruit--
bananas, oranges, mangos, papayas, pineapples are the most abundant. The “fruit
man” comes to campus on Saturday nights around 7 or 8 p.m. and also has an
assortment of fruits and vegetables.
Cafes or restaurants
Near campus there are a few places to get a meal. The cheapest is the Esso
TigerMart (yes, it is also a gas station). There you can grab some chips and a soda or
if you are brave try a slice of pizza or a hot dog. If you like bar-b-qued fare, try TNT
or the Chicken Shack. A slightly longer walk will get you to KFC, which has the
usual fried chicken selection. KFC also delivers.
17
As far as Bajan food goes, there is one place that you must visit while in Barbados:
Oistins. There you will find a large area filled with street venders selling all sorts of
local food, from flying fish to macaroni pie to fried breadfruit. On Friday and
Saturday nights, there is also a DJ and a dance floor where you can party under the
stars. The food is unbeatable served in huge portions and the atmosphere is very
relaxed. Make sure you shop around the vendors so you don’t pay more for the
same food.
Extracurricular Activities:
One of the best ways to meet people is to participate in extracurricular activities.
The sense of belonging it gives you can be invaluable, especially for connections to
the community beyond the university. Being part of a supportive community can
foster friendships and give you a sense of purpose.
From the moment that you arrive at UWI, you will be presented with a wide array
of extracurricular activities in which you may choose to participate. There are lots of
good clubs on-campus such as scuba, sailing and various sports. There are weeks
dedicated to inter-resident hall rivalry as well as international students representing
their cultures. These weeks are a lot of fun and you will receive more information
about them during orientation.
As far as sports, the students at UWI, are big on football. Not American football, but
what is called soccer in the US. There are opportunities to play on intramural teams
representing the Halls of Residence and different academic faculties. This is a great
way to meet people who do not live on campus and participate in a group activity.
For those interested in staying for a year, you might want to try out for the
University team, which sometimes travels to other Caribbean islands to play against
other universities. There is a small gym on campus that you can use; you just need to
bring your student ID card and a towel-it’s in Sherlock Hall.
Basketball and sailing are two other offerings. The basketball league competes very
seriously. Teams are often organized according to hall location. The sailing club is
affordable and very instructive. They teach sailing at the very nice Barbados Yacht
Club.
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Security and Safety:
On Campus:
The campus is patrolled and gated so that it is a fairly protected environment. There
are security guards at the hall gates 24 hours a day and visitors must sign in and out
and leave by 1a.m.. Past students have recommended getting to know the security
guards a bit, so at least they recognize you by face. If they know you, they will take
special care to look out for you. This is very nice, in the event you might get into a
situation and you aren't sure if anyone noticed that you were not on hall. As an
exchange student, past students recommended this, because you will definitely stick
out when you go out, and foreigners can sometimes become targets of harassment.
The guards also patrol the entire university premises during the night and day.
The resident halls are relatively safe, but they are like all university dorms--watch
out for theft. Make sure you lock your dorm room and that you lock up your closet
door.
Off Campus:
Around town, pickpockets are present so watch out for your valuables. It is
relatively safe to go into town during the day by yourself (male and female) but at
night you may want to go in a group for general safety. Take taxis in a group when
you return to campus after being out late.
It is not recommended for anyone to go to the beach at night, especially not alone.
Sexual Harassment and Homophobia
Island culture in general is known for its intolerance of homosexuality, especially
male homosexuality. Some past students were shocked at how openly and loudly
they heard anti-gay comments made at student parties, nightclubs and other places
they went.. Students can even be ostracized for their sexual orientation, so keep that
in mind.
Transportation:
There are three types of public transportation:
1. Government owned buses which are blue with yellow stripes
2. A privately owned bus system; buses are yellow with blue stripes
3. Privately owned passenger vans which are white and numbered. The vans in
this category all have license plate numbers that begin with the letters ZR and as
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a result are nicknamed ZRs (pronounced zed-rs). All three systems run along
about the same routes but the latter is the most convenient, running along the
road next to campus right into Bridgetown. But be warned, ZR drivers are
notorious for traveling at breakneck speed and cramming an incredible number
of people within their vans. If you ride one, which you inevitably will, plan to
get to know the person sitting next to you very well.
The good thing is that because of the many options it is possible to go just about any
where on the island in a timely manner. Fare is $1.50 Bds and exact fare is necessary
on the blue buses. Mini-vans leave from the university campus to go to almost any
part of the island with a few connections. They literally leave every 5-10 minutes
until about 11 pm at night. You can also hire taxis fairly easily.
When you go out at night, you should go in groups and arrange to share a taxi back.
They will arrange to come back at a certain time to pick you up. This is both safer
and more economical. Public transport stops about 11 pm or midnight on
weekends. Bargain with the taxi drivers, they may try to take advantage of you
because you are a foreigner. A taxi back from the Gap should cost no more than $50
BDS.
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Shopping:
Clothes are expensive to purchase as they are mostly imported from the US.
However there is a major department store where name brand clothing is sold
(Cave Shepard). As for souvenirs, these can be found anywhere in town. There are
also a number of other stores in Bridgetown which are very small and don’t really
stick out but offer great values on clothing.
Books
These are very expensive with a 17.5% VAT on them. You can get what you need
for class at the UWI bookstore but you might also want to bring any books from
previous classes you've taken about the Caribbean. Some of Brown's faculty texts
are assigned reading there, like Paget Henry's books and Tony Bogues. Past
students have suggested to wait until school starts to buy your books as sometimes
professors do not even use the textbook they have listed as required for the course.
Newspapers/Magazines
Its highly recommended to keep up with local news - you’ll learn more about the
place you’re living and you’ll know if anything disruptive like a strike is planned.
Local sights and things to do:
Harrison’s Cave is a must see. BEACHES- there are so many beautiful beaches and
Barbados is famous for its white sands and turquoise waters. Bathsheba is the beach
on the Atlantic Coast with beautiful sight seeing and surfing. Also it was really nice
to see the nearby islands of Trinidad and St Lucia which each had a unique feel and
culture.
Nightlife
Each night of the week there is usually something going on on-campus or off-
campus. On campus parties called fetes are held almost every Friday and Saturday
at the student guild. Wednesday and sometimes Tuesday and Thursday the Guild
also has Beer Limes which are almost like parties but with a more laid back
atmosphere and less dancing. This is mostly a male gathering and its good to try to
attend these events with someone from the Caribbean.
Off campus there are many clubs, bars, and karaoke bars to choose from. Harbor
Lights was a favorite of last year's students and is close to campus. The Ship Inn
and Boat Yard are both fun atmospheres where one can pay $15 to enter and all you
can drink. They also offer a tasty dinner selection. The drinking age is 18 years old.
Also some clubs have live bands. Clubs don’t close at a specific time but most let
out by 4 am. Also it is important to go to the club with a group of friends for general
safety. Clubs don't generally allow you in wearing sandals.
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Weather:
Bajan weather remains idyllic most of the academic year, with temperatures
between 65-90 degrees fahrenheit. Some days during the rainy season in the fall it
will get slightly cooler at night. Some days closer to summer it will be a bit warmer
and more humid. In general however, when it rains it falls very hard for an hour or
so and then the sun comes out. Also, trade winds blow most days and keep the
temperature pleasant.
As you adjust to Bajan temperatures, however, what sounds warm now will begin to
feel cool to you. This means you should take one sweater and one lightweight rain
jacket with you. Also, due to the sudden downpours during the rainy season you
might want to carry an umbrella with you regularly.
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Student Thoughts
By Carl Fraley, Fall ’03 participant:
My experience in Barbados was full of both excitement and disappointment.
This taught me that it is essential for people studying abroad not to embark on their
travels with predetermined conceptions or ideas. Doing so will ultimately lead to
disappointment since unexpected occurrences are bound to take place. While the
guide books, and travel narratives are helpful in preparing one to embark on a study
abroad adventure each individuals experience will be completely unique, and hold
all sorts of unimagined surprises.
In terms of the elements of Bajan society that I thoroughly enjoyed the simple,
day to day experiences turned out to be the most rewarding. In looking back at my
trip riding the Zr each day or having casual verbal exchanges with the people
working at Max’s video store are the nostalgic thoughts that pop up in my
imagination when I find myself nostalgically day dreaming about Barbados. As
someone from a big city it was an incredible feeling to wake up every morning
surrounded by sheer tropical beauty, the intensity of the Caribbean sun and the
piercing noise made by the various livestock. While I did not make life long friends
I still managed to have some very intriguing and poignant conversations with
random strangers. I think that many Americans, especially students of the
university, imagine that by simply traveling and showing up in foreign lands that
they will be welcomed with open arms and fully invited into the intimacies of local
existence. Barbados as a very insular and introverted place displaces this fantasy
that many of us operate under.
Barbados taught me to value patience and to appreciate a different model of
time. While I often times wanted things to happen in a New York City minute very
early on I realized that I would have to reassess my approach to time and work
within the ethos of Bajan custom. Barbados also helped me to reconfigure my
understanding of race and nationalism. As a lighter skinned African American it
was very interesting to go to a place where I was not simply placed in an
overarching category of blackness. The defined racial categories in Barbados are
much more expansive than those in the United States. Finally, the most rewarding
lesson learned from my experience is that there are so many different routes, models
of success and ways of engaging the world that the path less traveled needs to be
more fully explored.
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